Glitz at candle-lit fashion show

By Solomon Muleyi

Uganda’s fashion industry has come a long way. It has trod a dusty and bumpy road, so to speak. But if you attended last Sundays Parplerayn fashion show, you would realize the fashion industry has indeed grown.

It was one of those rare indications that the industry is beaming with creativity and an immense capability.

That it has leaped to a level where we can proudly and comfortably contend or sell across the continental markets or better still, overseas.

Though it had earlier threatened to flop, with a few heads lazily trickling in, the venue, Boda boda at Garden city was later chocking on revellers.

Fashion enthusiasts, fans and designers thronged Boda boda to be part of an extremely exquisite fashion showcase.
At 7:00pm, the stage was set and what was supposed to be the auditorium was glistening with the designs the revellers chose to show up clad in.

Though for an impressive visual expression, it was the red carpet entrance and the fact that for illumination, a combination of carefully and exquisitely placed candles was lit.

The showcase started with a couple of performances from upcoming artists though Karo Sovie(right), a young and extremely talented vocalist evoked the first ululations from the crowd with her song “Gwoyagala”.

They stood up and danced along to what the skinny lass was voicing on the semi-circled platform that was the stage.

Her vocal strings were plucked with such mastery and comfort yet when she hit her high notes, the crowd threw frenzy fits.

Her songs appealed to the old souls though telling from her facial and physical appeal, she looked a few years past the age of 20.

Then came the dreaded speeches, analogies and justifications on why Uganda’s fashion market should subscribe to online shopping. 

How online shopping will ease shopping and idiosyncrasies on how buying strictly from shops is making the fashion industry lag behind, became a debated notion various speakers juggled around to validate online shopping.

“It’s surprising how local products are sold expensively abroad yet what comes from abroad is sold cheaply here.

We can tap the local market well online because there is no rent required on line thus many people can sell online” said Mario Bugembe from Parplerayn online shop.

After the speeches, the guest of honour, Mike Mukula(Left) was honoured and thus the start of the showcasing. The Parplerayn models started strolling the stage, sashaying in a horde of designer and trendy outfits for both women and men.

The audience was thus smitten though in response to the overwhelming pleas of the revellers to buy the clothes showcased, they were advised to visit the website of Parpelayn to buy.

After the showcase, at around 10:30pm, the show was closed with another performance from Karo Sovie as the revelers ambled out.  

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